Heatwave to reach 33C at weekend
A yellow heat warning in place for central and southern England has now been extended to the whole country by health officials.
The NHS has urged the public to keep safe as a third heatwave of the summer began on Wednesday with temperatures set to rise close to their highest so far this year this weekend.
Temperatures are set to peak in London on Saturday as finals get underway at Wimbledon, according to the Met Office.
England and Wales will have the hottest weather but Scotland is also set to hit the heatwave threshold with temperatures expected to reach at least 28C in the south and 25C in the north for three or more consecutive days.
The Met Office said it would reach 27-29C across England and Wales on Thursday afternoon, with isolated spots in the West Country and London seeing highs of 31C.
Alex Deakin, a Met Office meteorologist, said the temperatures 'will be ticking up' with Thursday the 'first day likely to get over 30C, but it won't be the last day this week'.
'All thanks to an area of high pressure squashing the air and the combination of that and the sunshine this time of year will allow those temperatures to continue to rise into the weekend,' he said. 'So, the hot conditions are going to last through the weekend.'
Friday is expected to be hotter, reaching 27C across the north and 32C in the south, before increasing again on Saturday with officials warning of high UV and pollen counts too.
Clare Nasir, another meteorologist, warned people to 'prepare for some hot conditions' and to ' stay hydrated '.
The NHS also issued a warning for this weekend after last month's heatwave fuelled record A&E visits.
June was the busiest month on record for emergency departments with more than 78,000 people being treated each day on average.
The strain on A&E wards come as Britain was engulfed in a heatwave with officials issuing health alerts lasting 14 days as temperatures exceeded 34C.
Around 4,300 more patients were treated in A&E last month than were seen in June last year, as 78,349 people visited the country's emergency departments. This number was also 1,000 patients higher than the average for May.
Prof Meghana Pandit, NHS England's co-national medical director, warned the public to keep safe in the heat with a third heatwave of the summer set to hit from today.
'We are still seeing huge demand across NHS services, with a record June for A&E attendances and rising demand for ambulances, but despite this, patients are being seen quicker,' she said.
'With another heatwave on the way in the coming days, I would urge the public to take care and follow advice for keeping safe during hot weather.'
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extended its yellow heat health warning to cover all parts of England from 11am on Thursday, warning the NHS to brace for an increase in elderly and vulnerable patients using services as well as higher risk of deaths.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged the public to drink water regularly, seek shade and use sunscreen.
Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: 'Heat is no longer just a holiday perk – it's a growing public health risk. We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data show a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities.
'Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold water shock, even in summer.'
People are also urged to take extra care when it comes to barbecues in the heat.
Leigh Hamilton, ranger service manager at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: 'May's wildfire at Glen Finglas, caused by a carelessly discarded disposable barbecue, is a stark reminder as to the devastating impact a single reckless act can have on our National Park.
'This summer, as we face continued drier, more fire-prone conditions, we urge everyone to be vigilant and act responsibly, especially during high-risk periods. Avoid naked flames including disposable barbecues, dispose of waste properly, and call 999 immediately if you witness a wildfire.
'Everyone has a part to play. If you care about this landscape, help us protect it.'
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